Okay, so you’re married.
Gone are the wine-and-dine dating days where you both are trying to win the other one over.
Just how do you keep the romance alive as you go about the day to day routine? Between dishes, laundry, and paying the mortgage, how are you going to keep that spark?
My husband and I have made it 10 years now, and I want to share with you how we are keeping the romance alive.
1. Have kids.
What husband doesn’t get turned on by hearing about the latest potty training issues, sitting on a half-eaten lollipop, or seeing a toy-littered living room?
2. Date Night.
Who needs candle light dinners and dancing? We’re talking dinner where you only need to worry about feeding yourself, not getting a couple wiggle-worms to eat. And then it’s off to the grocery store — where the romance continues beneath the florescent lights as you present a coupon for that athlete’s foot spray he’s looking for.
3. Chocolate.
Buy the good stuff, and then put it somewhere safe.
No, you’re not hiding it… Just making sure it’s still around when you need it, say after the kids are in bed and you’re setting up to settle in with that hunk of burning love snoring under the covers.
4. Sleepwear.
You know the kind, the kind that says, “Come and get me, big boy.”
What guy can resist a short bathrobe covered in cartoon animals?
5. A sense of humor. Because when the only wine you two get to share is the kids whining at the closed door when you try to catch a moment alone, a sense of humor is what’s going to see you through.
What’s one of your tips to help keep that marriage spark alive? Leave a comment with your words of wisdom!
Claire says
Definitely dates. My husband and I go to lunch and a movie every other Friday while the kids are in school and we don’t have to pay for a babysitter. It’s so awesome.
OneMommy says
Now THAT sounds divine! A babysitter is always an issue — and having to get home to get them ready for bed….because quite often the sitter is one who can’t get them in bed for us.
MJ says
The sense of humor is a MUST. P.S. Love your robe 😉
OneMommy says
Definitely! 🙂
lisa at two bears farm says
I guess we are just padt 17 years. I don’t know about sparks but we are happy 🙂
OneMommy says
That’s really what matters most, isn’t it? 🙂
Angela says
Love it. All so true. Reassuring that my marriage is normal.
Chris Carter says
Those are the SAME tips I would share!! LOL 😉
OneMommy says
Great minds think alike!
T.Dashfield says
We have a date night tonight and making each other laugh always works. Hello from LOBS
OneMommy says
Nothing like laughter to help two people reconnect. Hope you had a great time!
Sam says
Your sexy nightwear cracked me up! My bff has a new boyfriend/male friend (they haven’t defined their relationship yet). I just met him at a haunted house last weekend and we were freezing, so I told him he should buy her long johns for Christmas so she can tell everyone that he bought her lingerie!
OneMommy says
Hey, if I’m cold it’s just not going to happen… Those long john’s may be even better than fancy sleepwear! 🙂
OneMommy says
Hey, if I’m cold it’s just not going to happen… Those long john’s may be even better than fancy sleepwear! 🙂
Lauren says
This was so cute! My husband and I need to get better about date nights. It’s tough (and expensive) to get sitters. Lately we’ve been taking advantage of my husband’s work-from-home days to go have a “work date” at a coffee shop or have lunch together. We’re working on it. 🙂
OneMommy says
We need to get better about our date nights, too. Like my post said, all too often our date nights become time to run errands instead of spending our time connecting.
Kat says
Your sleepwear ALONE is enough to keep that man around for years and years to come!
OneMommy says
I know, right? I mean, he’s a lucky, lucky man!
Sarah says
haha Love this. 🙂 So true! I find that honestly any moment with my husband is romantic in some way. Even organizing the house, sitting at the dinner table, or simply watching the kids play. BEING with him is what I said “I do” to, and I love every minute of it! 🙂
OneMommy says
Definitely — when I said yes, it wasn’t to late night dancing or candle lit dinners. Watching a husband play with the kids is just as good as it gets sometimes. 🙂
OneMommy says
Love the idea of lunch dates! And when they are at school there is no need for a babysitter!
Communication is definitely key! 🙂
Kimberly H. Smith says
You totally sucked me in with the title of this post. Great list! Reminds us of what is important and what we need to get back to sometimes. Visiting from #LOBS
Rabia @TheLiebers says
Are you spying on me in my house?!?! This sounds exactly like the “romance” at my house!! But I guess it works for us!
OneMommy says
LOL — nope, no spy cameras on my end. 🙂 It may not be a fairy tale, but it works for us, too.